M-Cast: Vayeishev

To Joan I believe it is indeed your responsibility to instruct your daughter on her duty to honor and respect you.

I guess your question is really which is the optimal way to do this. Is showing your daughter kindness the best way to influence her to do the right thing? Or perhaps a stricter hand will be more effective?

Perhaps a combination of both these approaches is best. Treating your daughter with kindness is important and shows that you love and care for her. However, this kindness needs to be supported by strictness and discipline if she is not receptive to the first approach. I guess it is the good 'ol carrot and stick model.

It's a really difficult challenge to find the right action in the right moment. Sometimes in life we are kind when we should be strict and then strict when we should be kind. Even King David struggled with this very same issue with his son Abasolom.

Might I suggest this site's extensive resources on parenting?

Wishing you much success in one of the most important job in the entire world--being a good parent. Reply